COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 5, 2013) - Space Foundation media briefings at the 29th National Space Symposium allow reporters special access to some of the event's key speakers, providing the opportunity to ask questions and take photos. They also offer information about current and breaking news in the space industry

The briefings are held in the Space Foundation Media Center at The Broadmoor Hotel's Broadmoor Hall, second floor (above the Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center).

Wed., April 10, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.Harris CorporationSubject: Iridium NEXT is the embodiment of Iridium's bold vision for the future of global communications. Each of the 66 satellites in the new constellation will fly a Harris-designed hosted payload, providing the ability to track aircraft globally from space for the first time ever - a revolutionary advancement for the aviation industry. Hear from the executives leading the effort who will discuss public-private partnerships, hosted payloads, aircraft tracking and a host of other cutting edge topics.Speakers: William Gattle, vice president of Aerospace, Harris Corporation; Scott Smith, executive vice president for Satellite Development & Operation, Iridium Communications Inc.; Don Thoma, president and CEO, Aireon LLC, a joint venture between Iridium and NAV CANADA; Janet Nickloy, 2013 Chair of the Hosted Payload Alliance and director of Aerospace Mission Solutions, Harris Corporation

Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center and PavilionThe Space Symposium's Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center and Pavilion is sold out and features the latest in space technology, products and services plus the greatest number of international exhibits in Space Symposium history.

About the Space SymposiumThe Space Foundation's Space Symposium will be held April 8-11 at The Broadmoor Hotel, with presentations and panel discussions covering all aspects of space. See the most current agenda at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org/agenda.

About the Space FoundationThe foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry and an expert in all aspects of space, the Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." The Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indexes that track daily U.S. stock market performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification™ and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 and is based in Colorado Springs, Colo. Its world headquarters features a public Visitors Center with two main areas - the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®. The Space Foundation also conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has a field office in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.